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- International tickets for eL fans
- Landsdown Road redevelopment plan
In terms of Genesis, FAI or general business What has Rooney actually done in the last 18 months?
- International tickets for eL fans
- Landsdown Road redevelopment plan
Personally, I think he's no better than the rest of the political hacks in Merrion Square. The media and EL fans like to make a romantic figure out of him. The new Lansdowne Road hasnt been built yet and the EL allocation on the North Terrace wont be there when the French and Swiss come to town.Originally Posted by dean02
"Love many, trust few, always paddle your own canoe." Dillo
The prices are very high for tickets - that doesn't help? What did he do regarding Lansdowne development plan? Which part was he responsible for?
And the Setanta Cup!
Not what I was told.
We're not arrogant, we're just better.
If he did, and also made the remarks about stamping out racism when Rangers players were being booed that he would expel them from Lansdowne road, then put it on the billboards around the pitch, and in subsequent match programmes.And the Setanta Cup!
Why did someone in his position make the joke about Northern Ireland players while managing to slag gay people at the same time? Furthermore, since he played the racist card quite strongly did he not do what threatened to do to 'racist' fans , and expel himself. This would have been the right thing resign - he's hardly the stuff of leaders!
Ok Deano I have nothing against you but that comment was just silly. The joke is funny and not racist. And even if it wasn't funny it still wouldn't be racist. The reason: Northern Ireland are quite crap at football (at the moment) as results over the past few years have shown and are therefore it is fair game to slag about their footballing ability. As for the gay 'insult' while I would have considered such comments unwise (believe me if I were PR manager in the FAI I'd still be screaming at Rooney for taking the chance, although come to think of it if I were PR manager in the FAI I'd probably be depressed and wondering how I got such an awful job) there were hardly the most inflammatory comments and there was clearly no malice intended (unlike those who boo Rangers players when they come to Lansdowne Rd).
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He's done a job to promote the eL during the international games and has also gone out of his way to try improve atmosphere at the games, which has worked.
Look I can see the joke and see it for what is was, a joke! But what I'm questioning here is that this guy keeps trying to play the moral high ground card eg Liveline football is about the Mother's & Fathers & the kids (which I agree with) but at the same time, in front of 40 hacks cracks this joke. UEFA during the same week are running their contribution to FARE over the course of the same week - What sort of message is Rooney sending?
Apologies forgot to mention FARE is a Football against Racism and discrimination initiative also backed by the EU, their programme calls for a halt to all forms of racism. Racism takes many forms including discrimination on religous grounds and on sexual preference. Unfortunately there's has been a history between North/South Ireland manifested in some pretty ugly sectarian shows of violence. This has showed its ugly head in Football in Ireland, particularly in NI/ROI, Glentoran/Linfield and in Scotland with Celtic/Rangers matches.
Every effort to "reach across the divide" including the Setanta Cup are welcome but I think making jokes of this nature reflects badly on Rooney, the FAI and the people who support football. The picture I get of Rooney is that you should not boo Rangers players if you do, you get barred. However it is okay for me (Rooney) on UEFA FARE week to crack my jokes in front of the media. Is this guy really thinking of the Mother's, Father's and the kids as he claims?
Fair point, there's a notable presence of League of Ireland fans at matches and it would seem that certain iniatives have been tried. I assume this helps in increasing attendance figures for EL games?
Improving the atmosphere - well I hear ya, but as a fan of football I don't need to be told when to cheer and clap, sing the Fields of Athenry and "Hey Baby" everytime someone scores. Furthermore when piping "you'll never walk alone" before games makes me cringe, scottish mc's and all that nonsense.
If he had substituted 'playing for Northern Ireland' with 'working for the FAI' then the joke would have been a lot funnier.
The joke was ill adivsed as were the gay comment and his own comment about having played like a woman. This is a man who is a former manager of the Republic of Ireland Women's team for chrissakes.
Having said all that one of the main contributions he has made was to ensure the facilities provided for the international teams were improved as requested by Brian Kerr. The not coincidental return of Roy Keane to the Irish Senior ranks is partly attributable to Mr. Rooney's efforts on this aspect at the prompting of Brian Kerr.
In spite of his comments he has also helped raise the profile of the Women's game, last Sunday's Cup Final between UCD and Dundalk taking place as a curtain raiser to the Longford -Waterford Cup Final being a prime example.
Look at the quality of oppostion who have played Ireland in Friendlies.... Brazil , Portugal, Czech Republic etc. We have rarely had such a consistently high level of opposition in so called Friendlies.
The introduction of a special EL fans section at Internationals; and the provision of flags banners etc to those fans to use at League games has also improved the atmosphere at both internationals and domestic games.
I happen to believe that the balance sheet for Fran Rooney has more plusses than minusses.
DOn't forget some of the People who are having problems with Rooney on the Board of the FAI did not cover themselves with glory at club level and I am thinking in particular of Il Presidente Corcoran and John Delaney who at different times almost led their club to insolvency.
Also some of the people sniping at Rooney backed Kilcoyne when he ran for President of the FAI . A man who shouldered part of the responsibility for selling Glenmalure Park , Milltown for property development.
It is time the media had a look at the credentials of his critics as well IMO.
Milo Corcoran seems to be wearing a suit of teflon...............could he be the bad apple?
Very true
I read in the papers was that when he cracked his joke about playing like a woman in front of representatives of all teams concerned, they place went into a stunned silence followed by embarrassed laughter. The fact that he was the Women's Football Manager means he should have known better. It's good that the women's game gets more profile but unfortunately Rooney's joke got much more media coverage.
Regarding Keane, I can only think he played a very minor role. Keane came back to Ireland because of Kerr - Kerr should get the full credit. Surely Kerr didn't need any prompting from Rooney! If I also remember correctly, Rooney was on the Radio as quickly afterwards to announce Keane back in the squad sounding like he was more responsible that he actually was quoting "a more professionally run organisation" - the new FAI so to speak. When it was apparent that Roy would not be playing in a subsequent game, Rooney's silence on the matter was resounding. As for facilities etc., I think the real test would be when we (and hopefully we will) have to travel for a tournament.
In light of recent events, I appreciate that it is difficult to see for all the mud slinging but I know who I would credit for Ireland's position on top of the table? Not rooney, not corcoran, nor delaney or any of the blazers brigade.
Granted, nice to see good opposition for Ireland, such as Brazil, Czech Republic, these were coup's - however all at a cost, some other dodgy games to watch, pricier tickets, threats of having to go to the UK - all in the cause of Revenue for the FAI while us punters have to foot the bill and scramble for tickets. I suppose one test would be to actually look at the costs versus income for these. If what you see in the papers is true he received 700 tickets for the Brazil game kindof takes the shine off?
I agree, the credentials of the snipers also needs to be reviewed, it looks like Rooney likes the spotlight however. With his recent appearance on Primetime he categorically refused to answer some of the questions put to him on Genesis, he failed to take responsibilty as CEO, he seemed to avoid anything of substance and unfortunately, to me he came across as someone pleading for his job. I have always had my doubts about The President and Delaney.
However for someone with 'Tycoon' status who leaves unpaid restaurant bills for nearly a year, and then goes on Liveline to answer questions, he again avoided questions, said he had questions but wouldn't air them I'm I have some serious doubts about this guy.
He's brought in a more professional FAI and it was himself who got the thorough selection process which resulted in Brian Kerr as manager, not only that, but Chris Hughton as assistant and Packie Bonner as technical director. Roy himself has said the whole set up is a lot better since his time and everyone has much more ambition.Regarding Keane, I can only think he played a very minor role. Keane came back to Ireland because of Kerr - Kerr should get the full credit. Surely Kerr didn't need any prompting from Rooney! If I also remember correctly, Rooney was on the Radio as quickly afterwards to announce Keane back in the squad sounding like he was more responsible that he actually was quoting "a more professionally run organisation" - the new FAI so to speak. When it was apparent that Roy would not be playing in a subsequent game, Rooney's silence on the matter was resounding. As for facilities etc., I think the real test would be when we (and hopefully we will) have to travel for a tournament.
Dodgy games? Like what? Pricier tickets? I don't have statistics on that, perhaps you'd like to provide some. Threats of going to the UK, where would you play internationals then? In Tolka in front of 10,000 people with some huge loss attached, no proper facilities for anyone either. We can't progress if we don't have money, a move to the UK is unavoidable unless Croker is opened. And he got 200 tickets for Brazil, which I agree, does take shine off, I'd like to see what the story was there and also the cost v income thing you mentioned.Granted, nice to see good opposition for Ireland, such as Brazil, Czech Republic, these were coup's - however all at a cost, some other dodgy games to watch, pricier tickets, threats of having to go to the UK - all in the cause of Revenue for the FAI while us punters have to foot the bill and scramble for tickets. I suppose one test would be to actually look at the costs versus income for these. If what you see in the papers is true he received 700 tickets for the Brazil game kindof takes the shine off?
I agree, I have some doubts too, including the ousting of your man Fahey as well as the resignation of the eL director, the one fella who seemed to be doing a decent job. I don't mean to come of as a Rooney backer, but from what I can see, he's been a damn sight better than alot of his predeccesors.However for someone with 'Tycoon' status who leaves unpaid restaurant bills for nearly a year, and then goes on Liveline to answer questions, he again avoided questions, said he had questions but wouldn't air them I'm I have some serious doubts about this guy.
Hi ShelsTim
Let me get this right...Rooney did WHAT to bring Brian Kerr in as Manager? Packie Bonner expressed his disgust on hearing rooney on Liveline and to me this says it all. Similarly a substantial proportion of un-blazered staff in FAI are threatening to resign if Rooney remains.
Some good games - yes but who really wants to see Canada play, they are cr@p. Pricier Tickets: Faroe Islands for €60 (a little rich?).
Despite being able to play games at Lansdowne road provided that we had the plastic seats which UEFA were happy to go with just as long as the local (Dublin) Health & Safety authority were okay with it - they always were! but Mr. Rooney kept insisting that UEFA wouldn't allow it - but they did! A UEFA spokesperson also advised that there was never a problem months and months after Rooney said UEFA had a problem. Rooney was threatening to move games to the UK when he didn't have to, the net result is that me, my two kids pay €180 to watch Faroe Islands at Lansdowne now becomes €180 plus 3 return flights plus accommodation - might be okay for Rooney who says he's all about the fans but for me its a clear contradiction bordering on deception.
Regarding the shine the papers say he got 700 not 200 tickets for Brazil!
Yes of course, there has to be revenue in order to develop, but this guy has promised a €1 million prize for winners of EL. The development plan he keeps mentioning will cost an arm and a leg but he does not say where the funds come from and interestingly Packie Bonner who looks after this tried unsuccessfully over the last 9 months to meet rooney to discuss. (probably 'cos there was no funds)
Yes I agree, Fahey's ousting due to inadequate minute taking was appalling. Brendan Dillion on Primetime came across as very capable, in him it looked like the FAI had a good guy yet they cr@pped all over him.
Rooney's predecessors were bad but this guy is worse, I think the FAI were sold a pup and I fear Rooney has brought disgrace on the game and that the FAI is on the brink of bankruptcy because of him. When the dust settles I think we'll learn more truths about Rooney/FAI.
your posting on all the el sites in different guises deano whats your connection to the fai????????????????????????????????????
save the sheep shaggers bring back beheadings for waherford
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